Arsene Wenger has always made it clear this season that David Ospina is his goalkeeper in the Europa League, providing he is fit.

The Arsenal boss stated before the last round against Milan that the Columbian international would line up against the Italians, with Petr Cech having to make do with a place on the bench.

Wenger's decision comes from an agreement he made with Ospina in the summer that he would play in the cup competitions. It was a decision designed to keep the 29-year-old at the club for another season.

But in a surprise turn of events, Wenger refused to confirm who would start in goal for him on Thursday night in Arsenal's crucial Europa League quarter-final first leg against CSKA Moscow.

When quizzed on whether he was tempted to start with Cech, who missed Sunday's win over Stoke with a groin problem, the Gunners boss said: "I don’t know yet, I will see. Tomorrow (Thursday) morning I will decide that.

"I have always played Ospina, I played Ospina on Sunday. But I don’t want to give my team out."

David Ospina of Arsenal comes on as a sub for Petr Cech.

When asked if Cech with fit to play if selected, the Frenchman added: "Yes, he is OK."

Meanwhile, Wenger believes that the knee problem that forced Alexandre Lacazette to undergo surgery was the reason the striker's goals dried up around the turn of the year.

Lacazette arrived at Arsenal during the summer for what was then a club record £46.5 million fee from Lyon and the France international enjoyed a good start to life in north London, scoring eight goals in his first 15 appearances.

But having found the net against Manchester United on December 2, Lacazette scored just once in his next 13 games as he form and confidence dipped sharply.

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His poor run of form came to a head during the north London derby against Spurs in early February when he wasted two golden late chances to rescue a point for Arsenal at Wembley.

Those missed opportunities saw the forward come in for some stinging criticism, but it was then announced two days later the he had been forced to undergo surgery on a knee problem and would be out for six weeks.

Lacazette returned on Sunday against Stoke City and his introduction off the bench inspired the Gunners to a 3-0 win, with the frontman completing the scoring with a late penalty.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with Alex Lacazette.

It looks likely he will make his first Arsenal start since the defeat at Swansea on January 30 when Wenger’s side host CSKA Moscow on Thursday night in the Europa League quarter-final.

And speaking about of that game, the Arsenal boss admitted that he believes the knee injury Lacazette had was the reason behind his loss of form earlier in the year.

“I realise now when I see him in training that he was not himself for a while, that’s explains why his goals dried up,” said Wenger.